Doubleheader split with 5-2 loss from suspended game

The Delmarva Shorebirds got back in the win column on Monday night with a 4-3 victory over the West Virginia Power. Earlier, West Virginia defeated Delmarva in a 5-2 final, completing a suspended game from Sunday afternoon.

To start the modified doubleheader, West Virginia wrapped up a 5-2 win from the suspended game on Sunday. The Power had been leading 3-1 when the rains postponed the finish. West Virginia scored twice more to build a 5-1 lead, and Delmarva struggled offensively. The Shorebirds finished with just three hits in Game 1, scoring with the help of an error in the seventh inning.

Delmarva found their offensive rhythm in Game 2 with a couple of power swings. The Shorebirds struck first with a two-out RBI single by Yermin Mercedes in the first inning. Steve Wilkerson hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the second inning for a 3-2 advantage. Wilkerson had homered in the All-Star Game, but that was his first long ball of the regular season.

Logan Uxa added to Delmarva's lead with a solo home run to lead off the third inning. Leading 4-2, Josh Walker and Stefan Crichton looked to finish off the Shorebirds' first win of the series. Walker pitched 4.2 innings in the start, keeping Delmarva in front with a solid outing.

Walker found some trouble in the fifth with the lead dwindling after a two-out RBI double by Elvis Escobar. Crichton came on with two outs and tying run on third base. The Shorebirds' reliever struck out Michael Suchy to preserve the 4-3 lead. Crichton closed out the win with scoreless frames in the sixth and seventh.

Crichton picks up his third win with 2.1 shutout innings. With the twinbill split, Delmarva is now 40-40 on the season. The Shorebirds (7-5) are two games back of West Virginia (9-3) in the second half.

The Shorebirds will try to salvage a series split on Tuesday evening. Right-hander Matthew Grimes (6-4, 4.35) starts the finale against former Orioles' prospect Stephen Tarpley (4-2, 2.57). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park.